Minn. Stat. §256B.0659, subd. 2, Minn. Stat. §256B.85, subd. 2 and 9

DHS is in the process of replacing PCA with CFSS. For more information about this transition, refer to CFSS Manual – Transition from PCA and CSG to CFSS.

Similarities

Both PCA and CFSS cover assistance with:

Differences

PCA covers services provided by a qualified professional (QP).

CFSS covers:

Responsible party (RP)/participant’s representative: An individual who is age 18 or older and capable of directing care on behalf of a person receiving PCA/CFSS services when the person is assessed as unable to direct their own care. In PCA, this individual is called the RP. In CFSS, this individual is called the participant’s representative.

Note: All references to “representative” on this page refer to the participant’s representative, unless otherwise specified.

A person may receive PCA/CFSS services if all of the following criteria are met:

For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – Eligibility for PCA/CFSS services.

A worker can provide covered services if they meet all of the following criteria:

Activities of daily living (ADLs)

A PCA/CFSS worker may assist the person with:

Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)

A PCA/CFSS worker may assist a person age 18 or older with the following IADLs:

Note: MnCHOICES is a comprehensive assessment that lists IADLs related to other services for which the person might be eligible. The person and their provider(s) must follow PCA/CFSS policy for IADLs.

A PCA/CFSS worker may only assist a person younger than age 18 with IADLs when all of the following are true:

Observation and redirection of behaviors

A PCA/CFSS worker may observe and provide redirection to the person for episodes of behavior that need redirection, as identified in the person’s service delivery plan.

Health-related procedures and tasks

For information about how a PCA/CFSS worker can assist a person with health-related procedures and tasks, refer to CFSS Manual – PCA/CFSS health-related procedures and tasks.

PCA-specific covered services

QP services

PCA covers services delivered by a QP, including help writing the service delivery plan; training, supervision and evaluation of PCA workers; and evaluation of the effectiveness of PCA services. For more information, refer to PCA Manual – QP services.

CFSS-specific covered services

Skill development, maintenance and enhancement

CFSS covers time spent by the worker to help the person acquire, maintain or enhance the skills necessary for them to complete ADLs, IADLs or health-related tasks.

Consultation services

CFSS covers services provided by a consultation services provider. The consultation services provider educates the person about CFSS and their options. They also can support the person in writing the service delivery plan, if desired. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – CFSS consultation services overview.

Worker training and development

CFSS covers training and development for the worker on the person’s needs. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – CFSS worker training and supervision.

Goods and services

CFSS covers the purchase of some goods and services. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – Goods and services through CFSS.

Financial management services (FMS)

CFSS covers FMS for people using the budget model or people using the agency model who choose to purchase goods/services. For more information, refer to CFSS Manual – FMS for CFSS.

For all PCA/CFSS workers driving people into the community, the PCA/CFSS provider agency (PCA and CFSS agency model) or the person (CFSS budget model) must ensure:

1. The PCA/CFSS service delivery plan lists driving.

2.The PCA/CFSS worker has a valid driver’s license.

3. All vehicles used are registered and insured as required under Minn. Stat. Ch. 65B.

4. The worker documents:

In PCA, the worker must document the times and locations in the time and activity documentation. In CFSS, the worker must follow their employer’s policies for documenting the times and locations.

PCA/CFSS does not cover services that are not listed in the covered services section. This includes, but is not limited to:

If the person receives services in a residential or child care setting, the PCA/CFSS worker cannot count toward the staffing requirements for that setting. For example, in a setting that requires four staff members present, the PCA/CFSS worker does not count toward meeting that requirement.

A person can receive PCA/CFSS services wherever their normal life activities take them. This includes, but is not limited to: